"RallyWrench" (rndlitebmw)
04/17/2015 at 17:20 • Filed to: Nurburgring 24
44
36|
"RallyWrench" (rndlitebmw)
04/17/2015 at 17:20 • Filed to: Nurburgring 24 | 44
| 36 |
I’ve been meaning to share these for awhile. Last year I was fortunate enough to go not only to Germany for the first time, but to the N24 to chief Rotek Racing’s Audi TT-RS, which I’d done previously for them at the Thunderhill 25.
The 2 days prior to the race went reasonably well, and we qualified on pole for our group. The race itself didn’t go too well, with the car springing a catastrophic oil leak at the head in the early morning hours, so we retired it. The silver lining was that I got to do a bit of sightseeing that would not otherwise have been possible on a pretty tight schedule. For a lifelong German car nutter, it was an amazing experience, one I hope to repeat in the future.
NOTE: Kinja will now not let me edit or move photos from the order I loaded them in, though I could yesterday. So I’m not going to edit any further, and there is no particular sequence here. This is really long, sorry if it takes forever to load for you. Enjoy!
A rare calm moment on pitlane. Seriously, I expected a German pitlane to be locked down, impeccably organized, better than anything I’ve seen in the US. Not so. It was barely controlled chaos when the track was hot.
I was pretty stoked to see the new WRX in action, the team was super cool too.
Obligatory Schulze GT-R
I loooove the Falken livery on anything, especially this.
One of about 30 new M235i Racing models entered. Seriously, there were swarms of them.
I”m not really a fan of the street SLS, but damned if these don’t sound like Armageddon. They were also unbelievably planted through Adenau & Pfantzgarten.
Another TT, similar to ours but in a lesser class and with a 2.0L engine, but it’s allowed more modification so can actually turn faster laps.
Who doesn’t like Astons?
I could have shot hundreds of photos of amazing cars on trailers through the weekend. But my head can’t rotate that fast.
US VW dork, meet Scirocco R. Scirocco R, meet US VW nut who can’t have you.
Pretty cool to see this driving in, being the first time. I got all tingly.
Wonderful little inn we stayed at in Adenau, the day of my arrival.
The walls were covered in decades of amazing race photos, autographs, and team memorabilia.
The important Bit(burger)
5 hours after wheels down in Germany, doing it right. Enjoying the beautiful surroundings, with racing engines echoing off the surrounding hills. I then took a really long nap to catch up, then the rest of the guys showed up & we drank until the wee hours.
The Rotek RS4rent
Another great trailer car
There was fuel pump right in front of our garage, and the first thing I saw when walking out the door during the Oldtimer practice was this. As I own one, I was immediately smitten.
I would do terrible things to have an NSU TT. What great cars.
It’s another ‘02. Of course I took pictures of it.
A rather famous 635 that I’ve seen in race coverage for years. Very cool to see in person.
My spidey sense detected this Mk1 Scirocco quickly
Alfa GTA
Moar NSU
Another Mk1 that blew my mind
Proper Porsche Pit Parking
$kaybait warning! A highlight for me, a real GT40 used properly
Can I get a DAT AZZ
Even more NSUs. I’ll have mine in orange, please.
Real-deal 190E Evo II. Crisis.
So happy, yet so menacing
Crummy through the garage wall pic of the next garage over. One of these set the pole time by a large margin, with huge air at Flugplatz. Everyone was riveted to the track TV.
Yet another 02, with a 3rd variant of flares.
Properly used
Mmm RSR
And another
Another 02, no flares
Oh... my...
I did not did have sexual relations with that woman car
Of course it rained
Buttoning her up before quali
Very cool Fangio tribute on the way in
Also very cool list of race winners on the way in
Scirocco N24 aero detail
More
DP 935. I did not know I was capable of so many consecutive crises.
Le Mans winning Aston, in all it’s battle scarred glory. Quite special & moving to see this in person, knowing what it meant to the team after the death of Allan Simonsen in the year before.
Soon...
935... aaand another crisis
Abt R8 we shared the garage with.
190E DTM, no shit. Crisis number 439.
E30 M3 DTM, no shit. Crisis number 678.
And another
Plucky little RX3. So loud.
This particular collection of cars about caused me to faint.
Yes, I followed this car onto the track when I had a spare minute.
This may have been the highlight of the trip for me, the Le Mans winning R18, which was used to pace the field on the formation lap. It just boggles the mind. Le Mans is my ultimate aspiration as a racing mechanic, and has been since before I was even old enough to drive. I’ll get there someday. This just put me over the top.
Quite a feeling, walking out onto hallowed ground as a competitor. Thoughts ranged widely, to all the legends & history made here, success and tragedy... as a student of racing history, it was pretty emotional for me. I was very nearly brought to tears. In the big picture, it’s a trivial thing to get emotional about, but going racing in such places is all I’ve wanted to do professionally since childhood so it was very, very special.
Primed, shined, and ready. At this point, all we can do is wait for the pitstops. A very nervous time for me. Many others are buoyant on the grid, confident, openly excited. I get very anxious, quiet, my mind racing, thinking of all the possible issues moving forward. That feeling tends to last until the car finishes the race.
Meanest looking TT I’ve ever seen.
I had to shake these guys’ hands before the race & wish them luck. They were super cool, so excited to be there with their new baby, and everyone was happy to have them.
Robb Holland & Team Rotek, as clean & rested as they’d be all weekend. Wonderful people, all. I love working with these folks.
The grid was madness. I generally want people to stay the hell away from “my” car. Much like aircraft chiefs, I tend to be pretty possessive of the vehicle until it’s on track.
Clearing the grid, my man Enzo getting the driver situated.
Sunrise on pitlane, an otherwise hopeful time, disappointing because we were out of the race.
Ze Germans, doing it right.
Cool to see this place in Adenau
A little cheers with Enzo, his gal Janine, and our engineers Ryan and Marcos
Down the hill into Adenau. Creative graffiti.
Through town & back up the hill. Amazing to watch the cars in transition here, the SLSs being most impressive, just planted.
Of course we had to see the castle
The pub at the foot of the castle
View across the valley, with the top of Dottinger Hohe running through the middle of the pic
View towards the GP complex
Coolest Alpine I’ve ever seen
The model shop at the gas station outside the track, just incredible for a die-cast dork.
Z4 GTE on display
Post race ceremonies. This all happened right in front of our garage, so we had to stick around for the ceremonies before we could disassemble the pitbox. Not the end of the world.
Not something you see everyday. Pretty sketchy at times.
Watching this dude in the tight pants trying to arrange this in the midst of the crowds was hilarious.
Champagne!
Our garage is open to the right
We do not always walk out of the Nurburgring, but when we do, we take all the beer.
Marcos, in his performance art piece summarizing our condition at the end of the day Sunday after being awake from about 6am Saturday:
Tareim - V8 powered
> RallyWrench
04/17/2015 at 17:27 |
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not seen any green lights before on race cars
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RallyWrench
> Tareim - V8 powered
04/17/2015 at 17:27 |
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That was a first for me too. The 635 in the pics had red headlights.
MarquetteLa
> RallyWrench
04/17/2015 at 17:37 |
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I NEEEEEEEED IT
Fantastic photos and commentary! Very envious of you and the work you do.
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RallyWrench
> MarquetteLa
04/17/2015 at 17:41 |
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I thought that was cool too. I took that specifically for some rotorhead buddies I have. And don’t be envious, most of my time is spent behind a desk running a shop. I don’t get to go racing nearly as much as I’d like.
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MarquetteLa
> RallyWrench
04/17/2015 at 17:47 |
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I love Mazdas and something I’d love to do one day is to swap Mazda’s twin-turbo three-rotor 20B-REW engine into an RX-3.
All of my time is spent in a cubicle staring at a computer, so I will continue my envy! ;)
Stef Schrader
> RallyWrench
04/17/2015 at 21:22 |
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YAY!
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Stef Schrader
> RallyWrench
04/17/2015 at 21:23 |
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zomg this car! It looks stickerbombed. I love it.
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Stef Schrader
> RallyWrench
04/17/2015 at 21:24 |
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LOVE.
Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius
> RallyWrench
04/18/2015 at 10:44 |
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This one.
Saturn XV
> RallyWrench
04/18/2015 at 11:28 |
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Awesome pictures!! And I have to say, that beer you had is my absolute favorite!
Sean Melchionda
> RallyWrench
04/18/2015 at 11:47 |
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Thanks for posting these incredible photos. What an amazing event. The DP935 is over the top. I love the Volvo wagon the best though.
Fefo
> RallyWrench
04/18/2015 at 12:30 |
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Mmmm Franziskaner...
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Fefo
> RallyWrench
04/18/2015 at 12:30 |
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Good choice mate, well poured.
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RallyWrench
> Stef Schrader
04/18/2015 at 12:39 |
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Yeah, that car was pretty special. Thanks for the share, that was a pleasant surprise this morning!
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RallyWrench
> Saturn XV
04/18/2015 at 12:41 |
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Me too, thanks!
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RallyWrench
> Fefo
04/18/2015 at 12:42 |
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Not my first time ;)
The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
> RallyWrench
04/18/2015 at 12:53 |
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Winning... hearts.
Just Joshing
> RallyWrench
04/18/2015 at 13:56 |
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Beautiful assortment, thanks for sharing!
Blondude
> RallyWrench
04/18/2015 at 14:22 |
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YESSSSS
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Blondude
> RallyWrench
04/18/2015 at 14:24 |
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lol
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RallyWrench
> The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
04/18/2015 at 17:05 |
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It won mine, alright.
JLH
> RallyWrench
04/18/2015 at 17:09 |
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Great pics. too bad for your early retirement. our #160 got T-boned in hour 18 by former DTM champ Martin Tomzcik. never showed up with those cases of beer to cool the mechs that worked three hours in order to put us back on track and to finish. but we just enjoyed a great 6h qualifying last weekend and will be back for this years 24H.
Grindintosecond
> Tareim - V8 powered
04/18/2015 at 22:17 |
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This is interesting. In general, red and green lights do not hamper night vision as much as pure white. I mean, it takes a half hour to ultimately be adjusted to night and white light resets that clock instantly. Green has some advantages over red but the total illumination makes a bigger difference. Regardless, these colored headlights could be an effort to reduce the effect on the drivers in front of them or the drivers themselves.
CorrectHorseBatteryStaple
> RallyWrench
04/19/2015 at 00:09 |
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All. My. Want.
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CorrectHorseBatteryStaple
> RallyWrench
04/19/2015 at 00:15 |
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Dat Diffuser doe
jedracusib
> RallyWrench
04/19/2015 at 08:15 |
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my classmate’s step-sister makes $78 /hr on the internet . She has been laid off for six months but last month her check was $20283 just working on the internet for a few hours. This Site........................................ www.jobshoney.com
BansheeNorn
> RallyWrench
04/19/2015 at 11:08 |
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Who drove?
read what I say
> RallyWrench
04/19/2015 at 16:07 |
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Hey, do you have any more info on that AH Racing BMW M1? I hear they had a website with a build thread, but it is now defunct. Have any leads??
DoglegFirst
> RallyWrench
04/19/2015 at 23:25 |
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It’s like a cross between a BMW 2002 and an Opel Kadett
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RallyWrench
> read what I say
04/19/2015 at 23:44 |
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Unfortunately i do not. Wish I did, it was incredible.
Vox Calamitous in Deserto
> RallyWrench
04/20/2015 at 09:11 |
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You’re going to get me fired. And I don’t care. Why? Every car makes me go “SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!” like a little girl. Like loud. I am not normal.
ezzyblack
> RallyWrench
04/20/2015 at 20:22 |
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Crummy through the garage wall pic of the next garage over. One of these set the pole time by a large margin,
with huge air at Flugplatz
. Everyone was riveted to the track TV.
I really don’t mean to be a killjoy here, but this comment sent a chill down my spine. Perhaps if some safety-conscious official had thought this over last year it may have prevented a tragedy.
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RallyWrench
> ezzyblack
04/20/2015 at 20:40 |
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Recent events at that spot of course crossed my mind when typing that caption, but it was one of the most impressive visuals of qualifying and the pole lap, how we gauged a cars’ speed early in the lap. And it was constantly being replayed on the track TV for hours thereafter while we were working in the garage with the McLaren team loudly celebrating next door, so I felt I’d be remiss not to mention it.
Fast cars have been going airborne there for decades, and it was always just “cool.” Unfortunately, the place now has another significance, one that needs to be looked at long and hard. I don’t think the cars or track need be changed, but the location and security of the spectator areas warrant a rethink. The Germans are as safety conscious as anyone, and it’s sad that it always takes tragedy to expose such things, but it’s impossible to anticipate every eventuality. The temporary speed limits imposed on top classes is the best solution they could have come up with in the meantime.
navyeagleeye86
> RallyWrench
10/13/2016 at 00:56 |
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Wow.. Bucket list stuff all. You’re incredibly lucky!
I hope to make it there someday, it’s been my most absolute dream for most of my life!
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RallyWrench
> navyeagleeye86
10/13/2016 at 01:05 |
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Thanks man! I was very fortunate to do it, but I hope to have another shot at it someday. Finishing is important.
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navyeagleeye86
> RallyWrench
10/13/2016 at 09:15 |
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I understand absolutely.